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Assam Assembly Passes Uniform Civil Code Bill

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The Assam Legislative Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, making Assam the second state after Uttarakhand to enact a UCC. Scheduled Tribes are exempted from the law's coverage. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the law was not needed 'where there is no cancer'. The Bill seeks to provide a common framework for marriage, divorce, succession, inheritance and adoption across communities (other than ST groups).

Key Facts & Details

8 points
  • 1
    Assam becomes the second state to enact a Uniform Civil Code, after Uttarakhand
  • 2
    Scheduled Tribes (STs) exempted from the law
  • 3
    Common rules on marriage, divorce, succession, inheritance, adoption

Deep Dive

  • +
    Article 44 of the Constitution (Directive Principles) directs the State to endeavour for a UCC
  • +
    Goa (since 1867 Portuguese Civil Code) and Uttarakhand (2024) have UCCs in force
  • +
    Personal laws are currently governed separately for Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Parsis
  • +
    B.R. Ambedkar advocated UCC during the Constituent Assembly debates
  • +
    The Shah Bano case (1985) highlighted the UCC debate around Muslim personal law
Q

Exam Focus

Likely MCQ: Article __ of the Constitution directs the State to secure a Uniform Civil Code for citizens? → Answer: Article 44

Related Topics

Uniform Civil CodeArticle 44Personal Laws

Exam Relevance & Angle

UCC, Article 44 and personal laws are landmark Polity & Governance topics for UPSC, SSC and Banking exams.

Target Exams

UPSC CSESSC CGLSSC CHSLSBI POIBPS PO

Background & Context

Uniform Civil Code (UCC) refers to a single set of laws governing personal matters — marriage, divorce, succession, inheritance, adoption — applicable to all citizens regardless of religion. It is enshrined as a Directive Principle under Article 44 of the Constitution.

Until recently, Goa was the only territory in India with a UCC — inherited from the Portuguese Civil Code of 1867. Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to legislate a UCC in 2024. Assam now becomes the second state.

India's personal laws have historically been governed by religion: Hindu Marriage Act, 1955; Hindu Succession Act, 1956; Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937; Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, etc. The UCC debate gained renewed national attention after the Shah Bano case (1985) and the subsequent Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986.

Related GK Concepts

Must Know
Uniform Civil CodeArticle 44Directive PrinciplesPersonal LawsShah Bano CaseHindu Marriage Act

Test Yourself

1 / 3

Which Article of the Indian Constitution directs the State to secure a Uniform Civil Code for citizens?

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Assam Assembly Passes Uniform Civil Code Bill — Current Affairs 2026-05-28